Grungy Rusted Carbon Fiber Text Effect

Step #1

First you will need to download the two textures below and convert them into photoshop patterns for later. To do this simply open each image then go to EDIT >> DEFINE PATTERN in the menu. Alternatively, if you’ve downloaded the source files at the end of this post, simply install the included (.pat) pattern set by double clicking on it.)

Step #2

Create a new transparent document 670px * 400px at 72dpi as seen below.

Step #3

To keep our psd file organized first click on the folder icon in the layer pallet 3 times to create three folders and name them FRAME, TEXT, and BACKGROUND respectively.

Step #4

Create a new layer within the FRAME folder and name it frame. Activate the shape tool by typeing U, make sure the rectangular shape tool is selected, then draw out a square similar to the one below, leaving a little room on the top and bottom.

Step #5

Activate the layer styles dialog box on your shape layer by double clicking on it or by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu. Then enter the settings below.

Step #6

Create a new layer above the frame layer by going to LAYER >> NEW >> LAYER in the menu, activate the text tool by typeing T, then type in your title using the settings below.

STEP #7

Within the BACKGROUND folder create a new pattern fill layer by going to LAYER >> NEW FILL LAYER >> PATTERN in the menu and choose the grungy corrugated metal texture you either installed or created in step #1 as seen below.

STEP #8

Open the layer styles dialog box by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #9

Above the grungy corrugated metal texture layer create a gradient fill layer by going to LAYER >> NEW FILL LAYER >> GRADIENT in the menu with the settings seen below.

STEP #10

Open the layer styles dialog box on the gradient layer you just created and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #11

Within the TEXT folder now activate the text tool by typeing T then open the character pallet and choose Arial Black at 310pt with a vertical stretch of 110% as seen below and then type in some text.

STEP #12

Duplicate the text layer you just created by going to LAYER >> DUPLICATE LAYER . Then activate the layer styles pallet on the top text layer and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #13

Open the layer styles dialog box on the botom text layer now and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #14

To create the shadow beneath the text create a new layer beneath the two text layers, activate the brush tool by typeing B and choose a basic round brush with the settings highlighted below. Then paint in a shadow at the base of each letter as seen below.

STEP #15

To clean up the shadow use the motion blur filter by going to FILTER >> BLUR >> MOTION BLUR in the menu and enter the settings below.

STEP #16

To finish up set the layer blend mode of the shadow layer to Multiply and the Opacity to 80% as seen below.

Thats it!

You should now have something that looks like the image below.

What’s Included in the Download

Fully layered source PSD

.ASL file containing the layer styles for the text effect layers

.PAT file with both patterns needed for the tutorial – ready to install!

Seems like a great tut….but…step 11 confuses me. Why put a text layer in the frame in the beginning then use a different font in step 11 as well as being in the “text” folder? Another part that gets me is, nothing is said about typing any text in step 11 – this could be common sense but i’m just looking at all angles since i can’t figure it out. I’m using CS2. Any help would be greatly appreciated – Thanks!

Yes, I can see why that’s confusing! We will add “Type in some text” to step 11.
The entire frame folder is actually an optional step that we reuse and add to the beginning of all our text effect tuts.
We include it because our Webtreats are packaged in these frames and we often get asked why we don’t explain how to do it.

Did you create a document with transparent background? Also, on step #4, create a new layer within your FRAME folder, make sure that the rectangle that you draw does not cover the whole layer. There should be some room at the top and enough room at the bottom to hold your text.

I have a question, I change the letter to another one which I dont remember (im a noob) and at the end of the process the carbon fiber patern is only around my letters, the inside are still grey. I have no idea why, so if anyone could please just give me a tip about how to fix it, it would be great.

step 7…the pattern layer fills everything including the black border areas of my canvas and I can’t figure out how to prevent that..does anyone know how i can achieve the effect they did in the tutorial?

It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested. Kudos!